Jerry Klinzing, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA

This work continues prior efforts to understand how density gradients differ between varying embossing designs and cup depths. Previous numerical results have shown one off examples of 3D finite element modeling of embossing without a systematic understanding of how the design of the embossing or cup curvature may influence density gradients. To fill this gap, the current work systematically studies the influence of cup curvature and embossing design on the surface density gradients of the tablet via 3D finite element modeling using the Drucker Prager Cap model. The cup depth is varied from TSM specified depths for shallow, standard, and deep for 7/16” (11.11mm) diameter round tablets. In addition, the stroke depth, stroke width, stroke angle, and stroke radius have been varied to understand the influence of these parameters on surface density. Finally, the position of a single embossing feature was varied in radial position by varying the distance the feature was located from the apex of the tablet for a standard cup depth tablet. Finally, numerical results were verified through x-ray microcomputed tomography scans of tablets made with these different embossed features.

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Jerry Klinzing

Jerry Klinzing is currently a member of the Compaction Research Laboratory, West Point, PA. This group is responsible for all aspects of compaction and mechanical property characterization of drug substance and product. His research interests include material characterization and computational modeling. He holds B.E. in Chemical Engineering (U. of Delaware – 2007) and PhD (2012) in Materials Science and Engineering from Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.